Earth anchor



.Dec. 6, 1949 c, HUBBARD 2,490,355 EARTH ANCHOR I Filed Feb. 8, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet l ,Zia/enZ'vf C. Maxi Dec. 6; 1949 D. c. HUBBARD 2,490,355

EARTH ANCHOR Filed Feb. 8, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 45 H i 5/ i 26 az40L, V v 4/ k 29 Patented Dec. 6, 1949 iJNiTE'D STAT ES "E-ARTH ANCHORporation 'of Missouri Application February 8, 1946, Serial No. 646,443

3 Claims. 1

The present invention-relates to earth anchors, and is particularlyconcerned with the provision of an improved earth anchor of 'thetypewhich is adapted to be connected with a guyrod which has been driventhrough undisturbed earth into a transversely extending, diagonal hole,so that the anchor will be engaged with undisturbed earth when theguyrod-ispulled outward by the guy.

One form of such anchor is'that disclosed in the prior patent of Albert'B. Chance, No. 1,384,825, dated July 19, 1921, which-is exemplary ofthe prior art anchors ofthis type which have been made of malleable'castiron.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedanchor --of the 'type described, which is stronger than the anchors ofthe prior art of thesame size.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of an improved anchor oftheclass described which may be manufacturedout of sheet metal, such assheet steel, and which is also adapted to withstand greater loads thanany of the devices of the prior art of the same size.

Another object of the invention is the :provision of an improved anchor--of the class described which utilizes a -min-imum amount of metal,which may be manufactured at a low cost, and which is also adaptedtmperform the same functions as the malleable cast iron anchors of theprior art, but with still greater efiiciency.

Another object of the invention is the prosion of an improved earthanchor structure of the class described, the structure of which has beenso arranged that the points of failure of prior anchors of similarconstruction have been eliminated and strengthened.

Another object of the invention isthe provision of an improved anchor ofthe class described which is more easily attached to the headed end of aguy rod in the previously bored hole for the anchor, and in which theguy rod may be guided into place, even though the anchor is held at thewrong angle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved anchor"of the class described which is equally adaptable for use with theheaded guy rod members which have a point and the guy rods which utilizea threaded end and a nut.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the ground and throughan anchor embodying 55 2 the invention, with the guy rod shown inelevation, illustrating the application of the anchor to a guy rod. 7 t

Fig. 2 is a top plan view f the anchor.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the guy rod.

Fig. 4 is a bottom :plan view of the anchor.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view'takenon the same plane as that shown--in;Fig. 1, that is, theline 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the'details ofstructure of the anchor andthemodein which it is located one the guyrod. I

'Fig 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6-6of 'Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7'15 a transverse sectional view taken'on the plane of the line'1-'I of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig/sis a view in perspective of one of the reinforcing plates. 7

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4, showing the change inshape of the socket of the anchor when it is to be used-with a guy rod,having a threaded end and a nut located in the socket.

Referring to Fig. 1, the anchor assembly is here indicated by thenumeral 20, and it comprises a guy rod 2| and "an anchor 22. The handle23, which is shown in dotted lines, is withdrawn from theassembly-beforethe anchor 22 is pulled up againstthe side 24 of the diagonallyextending hole 25. Various types of guy rods may becmployed with myanchor, of which that shown in Figs. -'1 -and-3 is merely exemplary.

Referring to Figs. 2 -to '7, the body plate 2t of anchor 22 ispreferably constructed 'of a sheet of hot rolled steel strip which, forequivalent thickness, width or weight, is stronger than malleable iron.This strip is originally flat, and is preferably stamped to the sectionshown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus the body plate 26 of the anchor issubstantially partially cylindrical from the point 21 to the point 23,describing approximately one-quarter of a circle, and the curvature ispreferably substantially that of the "hole 25 within which the anchor isto be used.

At the points 21 and "28 the body plate 26 is curved more abruptlyinward in Figs. 6 and 7, and at the points 29 and =31 the body plate 2%is again curved "outwardly with an easy bend. Thus the curvature at eachedge of the body plate 25 is substantially an S-sh'aped curvature,except that the curves are less than that usually employed in the letterS. This curvature may be described as a pair of reverse bends adjacentthe two edges of the anchor.

As compared with anchors which have merely a transversely extendinreinforcing flange at each of its edges, I find that the presentstructure is much stronger and does not buckle as readily with a reversebend as it does with a single, transversely extending flange at eachedge.

The shape of the body plate 26 is substantially rectangular, except thatthere is a V-shaped groove 31 adjacent one end, located midway betweenthe side edges. releasable grip by means of the handle 23, the bodyplate also has an aperture 32 for engagement with the customary fittingcarried by the end of handle 23. Groove 35, aperture 32 and thecentrally located aperture 33 may all be larged portion 34 at one end,generally the lower one, for passing the head 35 of the pointed end 36of the guy rod 2i. From the enlarged portion 34 of aperture 33 thisaperture tapers upwardly and is provided with the parallel sides oredges 31 terminating in a relatively small, round portion 38 which maybe of the same size as the shank 31 of the guy rod.

On its convex side the body plate 26 is preferably provided with a pairof transversely projecting steel plates 39, the edges of which are seenin Fig. 2. The shape of these steel plates 39, 39 is shown in Fig. 6,where they are seen located on opposite sides of the aperture 33 andextending from this aperture to the side edges 40, 4| of the body plate26.

The plates 39 are adapted to cut into the earth on the upper side 24 ofthe hole and to prevent the anchor from creeping outward out of the holein the event the guy rod is not so disposed as to eliminate such atendency. There is such a tendency when the guy rod has an acute anglewith the axis at hole 25 on the upper side of the guy rod.

The shape of the plates 39 is illustrated in Fig. 6. Their lower edges42 are shaped to have a substantial fit with the outer convex surface ofthe plate 26 to which these plates need only be welded at spaced pointssuch as, for example, adjacent each end on one side of the plate 39 andmidway between the ends of each plate 39 on the other side. Completewelding of the lower edge of the plate 39 to the body plate 26 is notnecessary, and would only increase expense of the anchor.

The outer edge 43 of each plate 39 may be the same, and, beginning atthe edge 46 of the anchor, the outline may be as follows: edge 43 mayextend in the direction of the axis of the guy rod for substantially thewidth of the plate 39, which is then provided with an easy rounded curveat 44, while the remainder of edge 43 may be concentric, orsubstantially concentric, with the outer convex surface of the bodyplate 26.

Adjacent the hole 33 the end of the plate 39 is beveled at 45 so as topresent a tapered opening between these two plates, assisting in guidingthe guy rod into place.

The use of two such plates 39, separated from each other at the middle,permits the plates 39 to be located at substantially the middle of theanchor, where they are most effective, without interfering with the guyrod which may extend from the aperture 33 angularly between the plates39, because of the tapered aperture between the edges 45. This is ofgreat advantage when the In order to provide for a i F 4 guy rod 2! hasbeen driven down into the hole 25 and the anchor is being placed on theend of the guy rod with the handle 23.

The body plate 26 is preferably provided with a first reinforcing plate46 which is located medially between its ends, and preferably extendsacross the full width of the body plate 26. This reinforcing plate 46 ispreferably located on the lower side of the anchor, and it is alsopreferably formed with a socket or depression 41 for receiving the head35 of the guy rod and tending to retain the anchor on the guy rod togive a maximum bearing between the head and the anchor when a pull isexerted on the guy rod.

The reinforcing plate 46 is provided with an aperture 43 of the samesize and shape as the aperture 33 in the body plate 26 with which it isintended to register. In order to reinforce the anchor further againstbending strains exerted at the center of the anchor the aperture 48 ispreferably bordered by an outwardly projecting curved reinforcing rib 49which also extends around the socket 41, forming a complete oval with apair of inwardly projecting portions 59. This reinforcing rib 49 isbordered at the socket 4! by a substantially fiat, partially circularportion 5| which the upper annular edge 52 of the guy rod head 35engages.

The reinforcing plate 46 is also preferably made of a rectangular sheetof metal, such as a low carbon steel which can be worked by stamping. Inaddition to the oval rib 49, this plate is preferably formed with threeradially projecting pressed ribs 53, 54 and 55. The ribs 53 and 55 arepreferably located in line with the axis of the guy rod aperture portion38 so that they reinforce the body plate, against collapse which wouldchange the transverse curvature.

The rib 54 is preferably located along the axis of the anchor so that itwill reinforce the body plate against changes of curvature and strains,which would tend to cause it to buckle transversely.

Anchor plates have been made which omitted these reinforcing ribs, andit is found that these reinforcing ribs materially increase the strengthof the anchor.

The reinforcing plate 46 is preferably so shaped that is edges willengage the body plate 26 when a second reinforcing plate 56 isinterposed between the body plate 26 and reinforcing plate 46. Thissecond reinforcing plate is shown in perspective in Fig. 8, and it maybe made of a rectangular piece of sheet metal, such as a medium carbonor high carbon steel plate.

The reinforcing plate 56 is curved cylindrically so that it isconcentric with the body plate 26 against which its convex surfaceengages. Reinforcing plate 45 is also curved cylindrically so that itengages the inner concave surface of the plate 56 against which it has asubstantial fit, except for the points where the ribs 53-55 and 49 arelocated.

The size of the reinforcing plate 56 is preferably such that it isshorter than the plate 46 and narrower than the plate 46 by an amountwhich permits the plate 46 to have its edges bent inwardly toward thebody plate 26 to which they are welded. The plate 56, Fig. 8, also hasan aperture 5'! of the same size and shape as the apertures 33 and 46,with which it registers.

At each end the reinforcing plate 46 is bent inwardly at 58 so that itsend edges 59 may come into engagement with the inner concave surface ofthe body plate 26 when the smaller plate 56 is strangest interposedbetween plates 2fi' and 46, as shown "in Fig. 5.

At each of the sideedgesthereinforcing plate 46 may be curvedslightly-outward at '60 to come into engagement with the curvedportions29 and so on the body plate 26 to which they are welded.

It should be noted that it is not necessary to weld the reinforcingplate 56 to either of the bodies, as the shape -'of the-plates 2B and 46is preferably made such that plate 56 is firmly clamped between themwhen "the former two plates are welded together. Neither is it necessaryto weld plate 46 to plate 26 around its full periphery. For example,welds may be placed at the points e1, 62 adjacent each end of the plateit, and 63 opposite the guy rod on each side.

Welding at spaced points in this manner is found to provide amplestrength without increasing the Welding expense, as would be the case ifthe plates were welded fully around the periphery of plate at.Theincreasein strength by full welding would not be worth the extra cost:of welding.

Referring to Fig. 9, this is-a modification of the anchor, which differsonly .in that the aperture "(5 3 for passing ahead of the .guy rod mustibe large enough to pass the nut 65, and the socket 66 corresponding tothe socket 41 is of approximately rectangular or square shape to providea socket for the nut 85 instead of the round head 35. In such case thenut 65 engages the threaded end 6'5 of the guy rod, and the threadedtype of guy rod must be employed instead of the headed and pointed type.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved anchor whichmay be made of sheet steel, and which is not only as strong as themalleable iron anchors of the prior art, but, due to its specificstructure and arrangement of its parts, it may be even stronger.

The present steel anchors may be manufactured at a very low cost, asthey involve only stamping, punching and welding operations, and thusthe present invention may be placed on the market at a lower price thandevices of the prior art embodied in the malleable cast iron anchors.

The structure of the anchor is so arranged that it is relatively easy tohandle, as it is lighter than the iron anchors and easier to assemblewith the guy rod in the previously bored hole made for the anchor. Theribs on the convex side of the anchor are so arranged that, they do notinterfere with the guy rod as it is being secured to the anchor, andthese ribs or plates actually assist in guiding the rod into proper.place.

The present anchor may be used not only with pointed and headed guyrods, but with the :type having a threaded shank and a nut.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an earth anchor, a substantially elongated rectangular metalmember constructed of sheet steel bent to partially cylindrical form toconform to and engage the sides of a round aperture in the ground, saidmember being formed with an aperture having a narrow portion which ispartially circular and adapted to fit and pass "a guy rod, :and saidaperture having 1a widened portion communicating with the narrowportionand adapted to passthe head or nut 20f aguy rod, said member beingformed along its longest sides with an inwardly turned ioifset flangeextending along each of said sides, a clamping plate :of relativel thinsheet metal adapted to be pressed into shape and having a substantially-.complementary concentric curvature with respect 'to theinside of saidmember,.said plate bein substantially :rectangular and extended toengage said inwardly turned flanges so that the body of said .plate isspaced from said member, said plate having a similar apertureregistering with the flrst-mentioned aperture and being formed 'with apressed downwardly projecting rib formation surrounding said aperture,said rib formation being spaced from the narrow portion of said apertureto ,provide a socket for the .head of the guy rod, and a second sheetsteel plate of tougher and stiffer characteristics having a similarregistering aperture, clamped between said member andsaidflrstmention-ed plate, the member and first-mentioned plate beingwelded together, and'the second plate providing a stiffening and areinforcing for the anchor by virtue of its being-housed and-held.between said member and first-mentioned plate.

2. In an earth anchor, a substantially elongated rectangular metalmember constructed of sheet steel bent to partially cylindrical form toconform to and engage the sides of a round aperture in the ground, saidmember being formed with an aperture having a narrow portion which ispartially circular and adapted to fit and pass a guy rod, and saidaperture having a widened portion communicating with the narrow portionand adapted to pass the head or nut of a guy rod, said member beinformed along its longest sides with an inwardly turned offset flangeextending along each of said sides, a clamping plate of relatively thinsheet metal adapted to be pressed into shape and having a substantiallycomplementary concentric curvature with respect to the inside of saidmember, said plate being substantially rectangular and extended toengage said inwardly turned flanges so that the body of said plate isspaced from said member, said plate having a similar apertureregistering with the first-mentioned aperture and being formed with apressed downwardly projecting rib formation surrounding said aperture,said rib formation being spaced from the narrow portion of said apertureto provide a socket for the head of the guy rod, and a second sheetsteel plate of tougher and stifler characteristics having a similarregistering aperture, clamped between said member and saidfirst-mentioned plate, the member and first-mentioned plate being weldedtogether, and the second plate providing a stiffening and a reinforcingfor the anchor by virtue of its being housed and held between saidmember and firstmentioned plate, said first-mentioned plate being formedwith offset flanges adjacent each end, extending beyond thesecond-mentioned plate into engagement with the inner curved surface ofsaid member, to which said latter offset flanges are welded.

3. In an earth anchor, a substantially elongated rectangular metalmember constructed of sheet steel bent to partially cylindrical form toconform to and engage the sides of a round aperture in the ground, saidmember being formed with an aperture having a narrow portion which ispartially circular and adapted to fit and pass a guy rod, and saidaperture having a widened portion communicating with the narrow portionand adapted to pass the head or nut of a guy rod. said member beingformed along its longest sides with an inwardly turned oifset flangeextending along each of said sides, a clamping plate of relatively thinsheet metal adapted to be pressed into shape and having a substantiallycomplementary concentric curvature with respect to the inside of saidmember, said plate being substantially rectangular and extended toengage said inwardly turned flanges so that the body of said plate isspaced from said member, said plate having a similar apertureregistering with the first-mentioned aperture and being formed with apressed downwardly projecting rib formation surrounding said aperture,said rib formation being spaced from the narrow portion of said apertureto provide a socket for the head of the guy rod, and a second sheetsteel plate of tougher and stiffer characteristics having a similarregistering aperture, clamped between said member and saidfirst-mentioned plate, the member and firstmentioned plate being weldedtogther, and the second plate providing a stiffenin and a reinforcingfor the anchor by virtue of its being housed and held between saidmember and first- 8 mentioned plate, said first-mentioned plate beingformed with offset flanges adjacent each end, extending beyond thesecond-mentioned plate into engagement with the inner curved surface ofsaid member, to which said latter oifset flanges are welded, and saidanchor being provided on its convex side, adjacent the narrow portion ofsaid aperture, with a pair of outwardl projecting sheet metal fins, saidfins being shaped to and welded to the outer surface of the anchor, toprevent deformation of the anchor with respect to its lateral curvatureand to bite into the earth and prevent the anchor from creeping upwardor downward in its hole.

DAVID C. HUBBARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,089,842 Johnson Mar. 10, 19141,775,317 Milliken Sept. 9, 1930 1,786,228 Chance Dec. 23, 19302,207,049 Chance July 9, 1940

